RiSeol
As a dedicated viewer of INK I also watched this version. Well I watched it almost 2 years ago but yesterday I got nostalgic and re-watched some episodes. I really like this version for different reasons. As a lot of INK-fans stated they are quite disappointed with how the Thai version went. A lot of the original character arcs got change. But here I am – watching the fifth version of INK (didn’t watch Miss in Kiss yet) and loving it. Maybe it’s because it’s so different. The thing is if you watched the same story for the fourth time all you can judge is basically the acting performance. I’m not saying this is bad but it felt good to watch a different direction- a direction where I can actually talk about the plotline. It’s not all good in the Thai version but it did some things well which I didn’t really like in the original scenario. Vise versa it missed out on some essential parts of the original plotline, which was kind of regretful.
What I liked in the Thai version was the way Kotoko (here Taliw) was portrayed. The main issue I had in all the former versions – including the manga – was that Kotoko always felt like her only propose is to support Naoki. Yes, I know that’s the story and I know that’s why Naoki falls for her. But for me it always left me dissatisfied. I always wanted Kotoko to at least have one thing on her own. I wanted her to be caring and sacrificing for her love without losing her self-respect; and for me the Thai version did a great job with that. Just like in the former versions Taliw was not the smartest but out of all the Kotokos I saw she was the one I liked the most for her innocence and cluelessness. It was probably because she wasn’t over the top like most other versions.
I also liked TenTen (Naoki) a lot, though I thought considering the original character he was indeed a little bit too soft. Nevertheless, I was feeling “Naoki” the first time while in the other versions I almost every time wanted him to be hit by a bus for what he was doing to Kotoko. I liked it that it was not seemingly a one-sided thing from the very beginning and I especially liked the background story of their childhood. TenTen is definitely a really different Naoki but he was also the only Naoki up to now that could make me feel sympathy for him and make my heart flutter in almost every episode.
Hands up for the writer who decided to tone down Kin-chan, because King was likable right from the start! He didn’t go overboard, and he was a loyal and adorable best friend to Taliw.
Acting/Cast: The acting was throughout good. Especially the main couple and King did a good job. But also all the other characters like Namkang, Dan, TenTens and Taliws Family and Friends, Nana – they did great. It’s rare that I don’t have one character that gets on my nerves. I was expecting it with Nana, but she was surprisingly nice!
Music: Loved the OST – especially the one the main couple sang together – but the editing was messy at some parts and that influenced the music. Generally, it was fine!
Rewatch value: Well, I’m writing this after rewatching so definitely yes :)
Overall I think it’s really difficult to compare this version to the former version – and honestly speaking I don’t even want to do that. After watching Kiss Me I felt really good. I liked that Taliw and TenTen were somehow equal to each other and that TenTen was so open about his feelings for her. In contrast to other opinions I still do think that Taliw and TenTen are completing each other and that their propose to each other’s life was portrayed well here. But again I don’t judge from the original scenario since – as I stated – I don’t think this would be fair. Kiss Me is a nice version of the original plot maybe a little bit modernized (let’s not forget that the Manga was created in 1991) with likable characters – hell I even liked Namkang and Nana the ex-girlfriend – and a cute, yet complicated love story. If you don’t mind a version of INK that is different from others but just as enjoyable, I recommend Kiss Me :)
What I liked in the Thai version was the way Kotoko (here Taliw) was portrayed. The main issue I had in all the former versions – including the manga – was that Kotoko always felt like her only propose is to support Naoki. Yes, I know that’s the story and I know that’s why Naoki falls for her. But for me it always left me dissatisfied. I always wanted Kotoko to at least have one thing on her own. I wanted her to be caring and sacrificing for her love without losing her self-respect; and for me the Thai version did a great job with that. Just like in the former versions Taliw was not the smartest but out of all the Kotokos I saw she was the one I liked the most for her innocence and cluelessness. It was probably because she wasn’t over the top like most other versions.
I also liked TenTen (Naoki) a lot, though I thought considering the original character he was indeed a little bit too soft. Nevertheless, I was feeling “Naoki” the first time while in the other versions I almost every time wanted him to be hit by a bus for what he was doing to Kotoko. I liked it that it was not seemingly a one-sided thing from the very beginning and I especially liked the background story of their childhood. TenTen is definitely a really different Naoki but he was also the only Naoki up to now that could make me feel sympathy for him and make my heart flutter in almost every episode.
Hands up for the writer who decided to tone down Kin-chan, because King was likable right from the start! He didn’t go overboard, and he was a loyal and adorable best friend to Taliw.
Acting/Cast: The acting was throughout good. Especially the main couple and King did a good job. But also all the other characters like Namkang, Dan, TenTens and Taliws Family and Friends, Nana – they did great. It’s rare that I don’t have one character that gets on my nerves. I was expecting it with Nana, but she was surprisingly nice!
Music: Loved the OST – especially the one the main couple sang together – but the editing was messy at some parts and that influenced the music. Generally, it was fine!
Rewatch value: Well, I’m writing this after rewatching so definitely yes :)
Overall I think it’s really difficult to compare this version to the former version – and honestly speaking I don’t even want to do that. After watching Kiss Me I felt really good. I liked that Taliw and TenTen were somehow equal to each other and that TenTen was so open about his feelings for her. In contrast to other opinions I still do think that Taliw and TenTen are completing each other and that their propose to each other’s life was portrayed well here. But again I don’t judge from the original scenario since – as I stated – I don’t think this would be fair. Kiss Me is a nice version of the original plot maybe a little bit modernized (let’s not forget that the Manga was created in 1991) with likable characters – hell I even liked Namkang and Nana the ex-girlfriend – and a cute, yet complicated love story. If you don’t mind a version of INK that is different from others but just as enjoyable, I recommend Kiss Me :)
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